Stoichiometric characteristics of nutrients in a soil-vegetation system of the rare plant Davidia involucrata Baill

Abstract

Davidia involucrata Baill (in Nyssaceae family) is a relic species of tertiary paleo tropical relic in China. It belongs to class I of the national key protected endangered plant. Recently, there are signs of large-scale death. This study investigated the population of Davidia involucrata Baill in the Mount Fanjing Nature Reserve and used field sampling and laboratory analysis to systematically study the stoichiometric characteristics of C, N and P in the plants and the soil and their driving factors. The results indicate that the average contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, hydrolysable nitrogen and available phosphorous in soils from Davidia involucrata Baill lands were 24.06 g kg−1, 2.22 g kg−1, 4.94 g kg−1, 168.84 mg kg−1 and 58.30 mg kg−1, respectively. The total nitrogen, sodium and zinc contents and the physical and chemical soil characteristics were positively correlated with the C, N and P contents in the leaves of Davidia involucrata Baill. The available phosphorous, magnesium, total phosphorous and available potassium in the soil were positively correlated with the C and N contents in the stems of Davidia involucrata Baill. The growth of Davidia involucrata Baill is substantially limited by organic C. We hope this study could provide some theoretical basis for scientific and effective protection of Davidia involucrata in Fanjing Mountain.